Why the study?
Do alpha-fetoprotein levels in maternal plasma and amniotic fluid correlate with fetal distress, intrauterine death, or induction-abortion interval during prostaglandin-induced mid-trimester abortions?
Do alpha-fetoprotein levels in maternal plasma and amniotic fluid correlate with fetal distress, intrauterine death, or induction-abortion interval during prostaglandin-induced mid-trimester abortions?
Maternal plasma and amniotic fluid AFP levels do not appear to be reliable indicators of fetal distress or intrauterine death during prostaglandin-induced mid-trimester abortions.
AFP levels lack utility as distress markers in PGF2alpha abortions; leaves open their role with other agents or gestations.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were measured in both plasma and amniotic fluid during 43 abortions induced with prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and their relationship to the induction-abortion interval and signs of fetal distress or intrauterine death examined. The mean plasma AFP levels showed a progressive rise after PGF2alpha administration but abnormally high levels were found infrequently until the time of delivery. Feto-maternal bleeding could explain the abnormally high plasma AFP levels which occurred early in a few cases. A shorter induction-abortion interval was found in patients with normal plasma AFP levels. Neither fetal distress nor intrauterine death were associated with abnormally high plasma AFP levels. No change in AFP levels in amniotic fluid was found.
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Ward et al. (1976) studied this question.
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